Rare Multivox MX-202 String & Brass Synth Synthesizer

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Update via Cinema Verite in the comments: "Same circuitry as the Roland RS-202"

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The string machine ensemble effect: Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor VS Wersi Wersivoice WV7

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video upload by Ohm. Studio



"The Wersi in the video is for sale. [listed on eBay here]

Here is a comparison between two very similar BBD triple choruses, AKA ensemble effect: The Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor 79 (which I demoed extensively in a previous video with a Multivox MX-202, a Crumar Stringman and a Roland Jupiter 4) and the Wersivoice WV7. The Böhm has some more variations but the chorus sound (ie ensemble effect) is very similar. Circuit are almost 100% identical. I also own a Wersi Wersivoice FM76 which is the updated and standalone version of the Wersi WV7 and sound even closer to the Böhm.

I used a Welson Keyboard Orchestra to demo the two units. I made another video with the Wersivoice alone with a Sequential prophet 6 in order to show how easily you can turn any synthesizer into a string machine with these units."

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"Vintage analog triple chorus effect unit, based on 3x Philips TDA1022 Bucket Brigade Device chipset and of classic ARP Eminent Solina design. Turns anything into a great sounding string machine.

It offers Vibrato (slow and fast) and Chorus (the ensemble effect) with 3 variations of depth (« weak » and « strong » switch and both together).

It is almost the same circuit as the Dr. Böhm Phasing Rotor I also built, with less variations. But the ensemble effect does sound identical."

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MULTIVOX STRING & BRASS SN 838371

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"MULTIVOX STRING & BRASS ANALOG KEYBOARD SYNTHESIZER MX-440 MX-202"

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Elka Rhapsody 610 and Multivox String and Bass

YouTube Uploaded by sounddoctorin on Jul 16, 2011

"Bob Weigel of http://www.sounddoctorin.com does two minute or so demos of these 70's string/bass machine in the case of the Multivox String and Bass MX-202... or String and Keyboard in case of the Elka Rhapsody 610. The smaller 490 is apparently a scaled down to string only version..I haven't played one but they are highly regarded also I hear."

Multivox Model MX202 String & Bass Keyboard Synthesizer SN 834036

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"Made in Japan sometime in the 1970s, it is a Multivox String & Brass keyboard synthesizer. Model MX-202. 61 keys. All kinds of various little functions. We tested it out today. It seems like everything works EXCEPT for the G#2 key, which does not work in any setting. The settings are brass, strings 1 & 2, along with the ability to blend them together. There is also the ability to select which of these sounds are played over the lower and upper sections of the keyboard. There is vibrato, sustain, and slow attack. The ensemble (chorus effect) has 2 modes. The voices sound very cool. It has a very retro sound, and when you put the sustain combined with the pitch modulator together and do some simple arpeggios, it sounds like is straight out of the "Stranger Things" TV show. Stand not included. The case is functional. The handle, latches, and hinges all work."

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1978 Multivox MX-440

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"Very rare Japan made clone of the Roland RS202. IMO a better and brighter version of the RS202. To me it has a much cleaner and livelier sound than the 202.
The tone controls are more like a low pass filter rather than a standard tone control. The ensemble effect is incredible and has 2 different intensities. This synth also has a dedicated bass output aside from the main output which allows for more discrete/parallel mixing or dynamic control options in a studio environment.
In excellent condition for its age and comes complete with the lid and original sheet music stand. Very clean and in full working condition."

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MULTIVOX MODEL MX-202 VINTAGE SYNTHESIZER (COPY OF ROLAND RS202)

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Another SH-3 Shot & Early Synth Clones

The SH-3 with Moog filter, not the SH-3a. Roland Polyphonic - 505 and Yamaha CS01.

It's interesting, I never knew the original SH-3 had a Moog filter. Now I'm wondering what the SH-1000 had before it. I also wonder how many synths had cloned features from other manufacturers in the early days.

So far I am aware of the following:

- Ionic Performer - clone of the EMS Synthi
- ARP 2600 with Moog Ladder filter clone
- Octave CAT - said to be an Arp Oddyssey clone
- SH3 with Moog Ladder filter clone

I'm sure I've heard of others, but I don't remember. : ) If you know of any, feel free to share and I'll put them up.

Update via the comments:

Almost everything Multivox put out for several years was a complete Roland ripoff. I had the MX-202 string synth for a while, and it was a part-for-part copy...it sounded very good, too.

Image via http://www.ph.k12.in.us/~drew/ahmw/pics/2001/P1010217.gif